but today, they were so alarmed about the chemical threat, they met with hillary clinton to talk about a possible future for syria without assad. >> we have been trying hard to work with russia to stop the bloodshed, and start a transition towards a post-assad future. but the russians insisted no pictures could be taken show low them discussing assad critics want the administration to >> reporter: the u.s. critics want the administration to consider military options. >> we do know absolutely that these weapons have been readied for use by bashar al-assad's aircraft. again, i urge, we urge the president of the united states to make whatever military preparations are necessary. >> reporter: another military imperative, securing the weapons if assad loses control. >> it is absolutely important that terrorist groups not obtain possession of those weapons, and then try to use them against any other country or any other group within syria. >> reporter: there are military operations, but privately, the u.s. military officials concede that the pre-emptive strike could be risky and could even s